Warren County will apply for a new federal Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) grant that could cull $250,000 — $25,000 of which would be for administrative costs — to help people with low to moderate incomes pay for housing repairs.

The last time the county qualified for a CHIP grant was 2006. The county’s relative affluence, among other things, prompted a 2008 application denial.

Commissioners gave the green light Thursday for grant writer Vicki Perry to submit the application.

Perry said she also plans to target the city of Franklin in the grant as an area where there are a good number of distressed homes. A plan to invest $100,000 in Franklin could improve the county’s chances to receive funds, she said.

Commissioners said they wanted to target only the elderly, disabled and “working poor” as recipients of any grant money, but were informed Thursday they cannot discriminate.

“We’re not going to be able to target that specific category of citizens,” Perry said. “Whether you are well bodied or not, it has to be the low-to-moderate income people and that’s basically the only qualification.”

Commissioners earlier this year were upset to learn that a component of the program gave first-time home buyers making as much as $50,000 a year help with down payments and closing costs.

CHIP Director Margie Dunn said because the county hasn’t received CHIP funds in about six years its application might be looked upon favorably. To improve its chances, the county is offering $31,500 in matching money.